Do You Have A Real ID?
- Jeanine Michaels
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Do you know what a Real ID is?
Chapter One
I found out about what a real ID is at the airport check-in for our trip to Maui on my birthday May 24, 2025.
This new “real ID 🆔 “ business became mandatory to get on a plane beginning in May 2025. Not the best timing ⏱️ for someone traveling in May without a real ID.
But it is not like they had billboards up informing us or personal emails sent to everyone with a regular drivers license or mail notifications about this new security change for identification.
When Curt and I were checking into TSA screening to board our flight, after taking my driver’s license and inspecting it,
The guy said: “Do you have a real ID?
I said “Yes, you are holding my real ID. It is my real drivers license.
He said “No this is not a real ID.“
I said: “😂 “Of course it is. This is my real drivers license”
At that point we could’ve gone back-and-forth for a long time with a long line behind us but then Curt quickly explained to me after he stopped laughing what a real ID was.
Of course he has one and I don’t and you need one to board the plane and fly anywhere.
In this case, ignorance is not bliss nor is it an excuse.
Remember that I was trained as an actor and can cry on cue when necessary.
Had I not been allowed on the flight, I’d cry me a river all the way to Maul.
After working and planning for this much needed working vacation one does not want to be told you can’t go when you are just a football 🏈 field away from the plane. ✈️
However, I am certain that I am not the only one who arrives at the airport and is informed about the new real ID requirement. It is probably why they created a separate line for us unfortunates without a real ID.
Fortunately, the guys supervisor allowed me to finally pass security and get on the plane with a warning that if I wanted to fly again on any airline, I would need to have a real ID.
Sometimes you really do have to laugh.
And just for fun now I have to go to the DMV and get a “real ID” 🆔 when I get back.
If I get back without the real ID.
The real ID has a yellow bear with a white star on it in the top right upper corner of your drivers license instead of what a “not real ID “drivers license has in the right upper corner: the ominous words “Federal Limits Apply”
Either this is confusing or stupid or both.
After attempting to deal with the DMV in person (for a grand total of three times) I was told that I cannot use copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates, or Social Security cards and that I would have to return after making a new appointment with the original documents to get the coveted Real ID.
But the next available DMV appointment was in July long after our June 19 trip to Wisconsin.
I had a copy of my birth certificate but couldn’t find the original so now I had to go to the Hall Of Records in Van Nuys to obtain one. It was there where I found out that you cannot just immediately receive your original certificate like I was informed would happen for 36$ back at the DMV.
If you were born before 1963, your records are not easily accessible because they are archived and require three weeks time to process and receive your original documents.
Again, not helpful for a trip that was in two days time.
Chapter Two
We are leaving tomorrow on a flight out of Burbank to Milwaukee.
I spent the last three days trying to get a “real ID“
It involved many trips in the car to many destinations, including the federal courthouse, the hall of records, the DMV three times, the US passport office twice, 2 different post offices and Walgreens to take a new passport photo because the one I made for $13.95 didn’t work.
But today I got through TSA airport security with a lot of paperwork from my applications in progress. The expired passport and application for a new one, and copies of my Social Security card, birth certificate and marriage license. Why an original marriage license certificate?
Because I had a legal name change adding a hyphenated Leftwich to my last name Michaels.
The entire legal name is now Jeanine Marie Michaels-Leftwich
And the dash has to be in the right place which I discovered on a previous visit to the DMV to renew my drivers license where it wasn’t in the right place to match my Social Security card.
I understand the need for proper identification and security, but sometimes it can all just get so ridiculous.
And still no “Real ID” yet even though several government agencies know who I am.
They even have a separate line at the airport for passengers with no real ID.
But just when I thought I was all good to go with no further delays, during the bag screening they took my bag out of the line and opened it because there was something in there apparently of concern.
And I am so careful not to pack firearms or explosives in my carry-on so I wasn’t sure what was causing an issue.
It turned out to be the candle 🕯️ that I am giving my cousin Steve for his birthday gift. 🎁
It was beautifully wrapped in special paper, but the screening person had to open the paper to more closely inspect the candle.
So no more pretty wrapping paper for Steve!
And last, big surprise, Brendan is not feeling well and informed us at 6 AM when we were supposed to be leaving that he was not coming.
Now we have his non-refundable ticket.
Not cool 😎 dude!
This has all contributed to my stage of “crazy“ as I sit on a plane with my husband who just spilled a full glass of tomato 🍅 juice all over my dress and jacket.
And I still don’t have a real ID!
Safe Travels Everyone.
Don't Forget Your Real ID
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